A survey of child and adolescent day-treatment programs: establishing definitions and standards.

A survey of 82 programs operating nationally is used to assess the present status of child and adolescent day-treatment services. Overwhelming variability in the responses leads the authors to suggest criteria for standards and definition. Survey results are presented for programming issues, patients, staff, clinical issues, funding, and research, followed by specific recommendations in each area. The authors conclude that without substantial changes toward standardization, child and adolescent day-treatment programs will continue to struggle in the highly competitive mental health-care market.